Improvement in metallic cartridges



UNITED A STATES CHARLES FELIX DE DARTEIN PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVEMENT IN MEFALLIC CARTRIDGES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 120,630, dated November7, 1871.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES FELIX DE DARTEIN and JULES EDOUARD DEDARTEIN, of Strasbourg, in the Empire of France, have invented anImproved Cartridge; and we do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing making a part of the same. i

The object of this invention is to produce an improvement in the classof cartridges so constructed that when the charge is exploded it closesthe crevices that exist between the revolving cylinder and the barrel ofarms of the revolver class, and at the breech ends of other arms, so asto prevent the escape of gas rearward and' the consequent loss ofprojective force; and also to produce a cartridge adapted to cause thecommencement of the rotation of the ball or bullet before leaving it. Tothis end the invention consists in providing the front end of thecartridge-case with a metallic cap having an aperture for the passage ofthe bullets, and in forming spiral ribs or grooves on the inside of thesaid ferrule or lining. Y

Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation of our cartridge; Fig. 2, a backview. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 4, a front view of thecartridge; Figs. 5 to 13, each, a section and a face view of the severalcomponent pieces of the cartridge. Fig. 14 shows a modification of thein'- vention.

These pieces are nine in number.` The base is formed of a short metalliccylinder, A, having a shoulder, l, struck up, as shown in Fig. 5. Thefollowing pieces are successively inserted in the rear end of thecylinder, viz., a metallic anvildisk, B, having a small hole, B', at thecenter; a metallic priming-disk, Fig. 7, slightly recessed at the centerfor receiving the fulminate G' next, a disk, D, Fig. 6, perforated atthe center D' so as to receive the projection of the primer G. Thesepieces are secured by turning down the portion a a, shown in Fig. 5 bydotted lines. The next step is to introduce in the smaller or front partof the cylinder A, and to iix or set therein, a paper'cylinder or casingwrapped up in prepared or greased cloth or India rubber E, Fig. 13,having at one end a washer, F, of pasteboard, wood, leather, or anyother suitable material, and provided with a central aperture, F', Fig.9. .The necessary powder-charge is then poured in, and the bullet G,Fig. 10, which has been previously forced into its socket H, Fig. l1, isinserted. A i

little shoulder, G', holds it in frictional contact with the cartridge.The socket H is provided in front with a collar, H', which is of thesame diameter as the casing E. The cartridge is com pleted by slipping ametallic cap, I, Fig. l2, over the said casing, this cap being piercedby a hole equal to or somewhat larger than the back end of the barrel. Acircular flange, I' I', is formed at the front end of the cap, thefunctions of which will be hereinafter explained. Between the front andback cylinders A and H we wind paper, pasteboard, cloth, or othersuitable material, so as to render the cartridge even and smooth alongits central portion, and the empty space K left by the bullet in frontof the cartridge may be filled with a drop of tallow, which, duringpractice, will lubricate the barrel and increase the range. For riiledarms the socket H is grooved helically inside h, Fig. 11, so as to causethe bullet to turn on leaving the cartridge; and in this case a lug islikewise provided between the casing E and socket H to prevent thelatter from turning and for allowing the bullet to follow a straightline. i

The cartridge having been inserted in the breech of the gun-barrel, onpulling the trigger the hammer, by its impact at G', will produce theignition of the fulminating matter, and thus communicate a spark to thepowder through the holes B' F'. When this takes place the bullet ispropelled either straight or with a rotary motion, according as the boreof the arm is smooth or riiled. Also, owing to the expansion of thegases, and because the shoulder G' has a caliber larger than that of thecasing H, the latter is impelled forward, and, by the pressure of thecollar H' against the flanges I' I', causes the latter to be applied orblown powerfully and gas-tight against the breech end ofthe barrel. Thewaste of gas is thus rendered utterly impossible, as far as windagebetween the breech or cylinder and barrel is concerned, through the verypressure of the gases acting upon the swelling G' of the bullet, as wellas on the socket H and on the flanges I' I', thus closing any issues bywhich the gases might have taken their escape. The like takes withregard to the back face of the breech on the cylinder, the anges ar a ofthe blank A producing thc same ecct as those I I in front. yHaving thusdescribed our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to protect byLetters Patent, is-

- 1. In a cartridge, the combination with the cylinder or socket H,provided with the collar' H', of the cap I having the circular innerflange I', as and for the purpose described..J

2L In a cartridge, the socket H provided with bits or helical threadsfor imparting the incipient rotary motion to the projectile, as and forthe purpose specified.

CH. DE DARTEIN. L. s. JULES DE DAR'IEIN. L. S.

Witnesses:

J. U. ZUsT, J. VOULAIN.,

